Obstetrics & gynaecology · UKMLA & AKT
Cervical cancer
A free high-yield preview for the UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test. Below are the key points to recognise cervical cancer — the full SA Note notes add investigations, management, complications and 10 practice questions.
Key high-yield points
- Most common gynaecological cancer in women under 35 in the UK
- Caused by persistent high-risk HPV (hrHPV) infection - >99% of cases are HPV-positive; types 16 and 18 account for ~70%
- HPV transmitted via skin-to-skin genital contact including oral sex - lesbian and bisexual women are NOT exempt from screening
Women in same-sex relationships should undergo cervical screening as normal - HPV is transmitted via genital contact and oral sex, not exclusively penetrative heterosexual intercourse. Uptake amongst lesbian women is ~10 times worse than the general population, sometimes due to incorrect healthcare advice.
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